Kolkata metro compensates farmers for project

Mayor Sovan Chatterjee made Metro Railways authorities agree to pay compensation to farmers who would be displaced and lose livelihood due to the Garia-Airport Metro project.

“Metro railways authorities agreed principally to pay compensation to the affected farmers and a joint inspection is scheduled for Saturday,” Chatterjee told reporters on Tuesday.

According to senior Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials, initially the mayor demanded 252 crore from Metro Railways authorities for using KMC land for the Garia-Airport project.

Metro Railways officials wrote to Chatterjee asking for a discussion on the issue demanding that it would not be possible for them to pay the sum.

Accordingly, a meeting was scheduled at the civic headquarters on Tuesday and Chatterjee conceded his demand for the money as levy for land use but instead proposed compensation to affected farmers, which Metro officials agreed to in principle.

On Saturday KMC of ficials would accompany Metro Railways officials for a joint inspection and initial survey of the land required in the Dhapa area off EM Bypass.

“We would try to identify the number of farmers who would lose their livelihood due to the Garia-Airport Metro project. Accordingly, a detailed survey would be conducted and the amount of compensation would be decided thereof,” a senior official of the civic body said.

The policymakers would decide on the amount of compensation to be paid after talks with affected farmers, said |a senior member, mayor-incouncil.